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Atheist Etiquette

I recently started a new job and eveyone seems very religous. While discussing with a co-worker that i recently quit smoking she said "i bet your family and god are smiling down on you for that". i just smiled and continued my lunch. Should i have said different?

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Permalink Reply by JOSHUA A EVANS on February 12, 2011 at 2:00pm

Dr. Terence Meaden,

"Atheism is the highest intellectual condition......"

Only to thoughs who actually educate them selves, but i guess that goes with out saying for just about anything. Not all Atheists are educated, they just dont believe and thats good enough for them.

Permalink Reply by Michelle on November 4, 2010 at 8:03am

You should not be made to feel uncomfortable in the workplace--for any reason. That being said, I think the others are right. You must pick your battles in this situation because, believe me, there are more and larger ones to come. It is almost an everyday onslaught of ridiculous references one must endure when one has attained the 'highest intellectual condition' Dr. Meaden speaks of in his reply. What I usually do is just what you did and think about how sorry I feel for the misguided, manipulated and intellectually challenged person who just insulted me. Hang in there!

Permalink Reply by Brent on November 4, 2010 at 8:35am

IMHO, with a situation like that, whatever makes YOU feel the most comfortable is the correct decision.

Permalink Reply by Grace Fitzpatrick on November 4, 2010 at 8:43am

This is true. Besides whatever your religious belief or lack of belief, it is no one's business. Congratulations on quitting smoking!

Permalink Reply by Bradford Peartree on November 4, 2010 at 2:18pm

I concur, and yes congratulations on quitting the habit...I can't believe I forgot to say that earlier!

Permalink Reply by The Secular One on November 4, 2010 at 9:11am

Do whatever you are comfortable with, you are under no obligation to start religious discussions at work. If you are just looking for advice though, I'd suggest answering back "My family is glad, yes" and just purposefully leave out the god comment.

Permalink Reply by Susan Stanko on November 4, 2010 at 9:25am

I would have just ignored the god comment and said something about my family's opinions.

Permalink Reply by Mark Maraz on November 4, 2010 at 12:06pm

WOW....Thank You all for your responses. Although i agree with picking battles i am sick of having to hide. I can honestly say i have never been a true believer and only recently came out to those nearest to me. But i am truly sick of hiding myself and other people just assuming i am a Christian. Biting my tongue is getting harder and harder.

OH and thanks for the congrats on quitting smoking. I am very proud of it and I did it by myself......no pills, no patches....and most of all.........NO GOD!!!!

Permalink Reply by John Jubinsky on November 4, 2010 at 3:37pm

If you ever feel that your back is to the wall and you have to say something against worship I would try to make the point that nothing good would want to be worshiped in the first place. This is in fact very true so making the point would tend to take the wind out of the sails of those criticizing you for being an Atheist.

Unfortunately I think almost all of us have to some extent experienced the bias that you have described. This is why I think it important that we try to become more organized as a minority to promote our positions and, in so doing, to present ourselves as benevolent. If we are widely seen as amoral or immoral history will repeat itself to the effect that we will be villainized by societies all over the world no matter how well founded we are in our scientific views. If we do not stand for good (secular humanism) then no matter how bad the church might be it will always be able to call itself a sinner that wants to become better and win power over us by comparison.

This not to mention that having the benevolent reputation would eliminate much of the bias.

Permalink Reply by Alison Campbell on November 23, 2010 at 2:49pm

Hey Mark I am in the bible belt as well and I know exactly what you face. I was actually asked if I "worship satan"

Permalink Reply by Sigmund on November 6, 2010 at 6:57am

In situations like that I'm always tempted to say something like 'yeah, poseidon has been good to me lately' (or 'allah' if i'm feeling mischievous). All gods are equally implausible, might as well have some fun with that, since funnily enough theists find it more difficult to argue against a different belief than a lack of belief. If you're an atheist you're damned, but if you're an 'ancient Greek', Zeus has got your back; ok, so you're not going to heaven, but the Elysian Fields sound better anyway...

Permalink Reply by Edward Becker on November 7, 2010 at 5:32pm